Sample Swatch Bag

My youngest daughter finishes her 14 year school career and turns 18 this month! Where did the time go!

She has had one teacher in particular who has nurtured her love of literature and encouraged and inspired her for the last 4 years.

So I offered to make her a bag, as a thank you.  I already knew the bag I would make, patchworked and roomy enough to take school files.

I had it on good authority that 'said teacher's' favourite colours are black and grey - sadly the 2 colours I have least of in my bag making stash!

So I scrounged requested some sample swatches from a generous friend and my vision of a patchwork bag came alive!

Front

My daughter loves the touch of velvets and soft wools so while I quilted some of the swatches, I left some of the more 'tactile' ones alone!

back

I took a risk with the purple lining, but the bag was delivered today and I'm pleased to report 'she loved it!'  Phew!

Using swatches from (often free) sample books is a great way to make patchwork projects.  Ask in Interiors and Curtain making shops for their last season's books.

However, working with swatches is very different from sewing with cotton.

Here are a few things to consider:

• • try to remove all the paper from the back of the swatches
  • use a larger stitch length & walking foot when working with thicker fabrics
  • fuse interfacing to lighter fabrics to give them equal body to thicker ones
  • quilt onto a lightweight flex foam (I used Legacy) to stabilise the mixed fabrics & help absorb the thicker seams
  • 'stitch in the ditch' before other quilting
  • use size 90/14 Jeans needle (quilting) and 100/16 Jeans needle (construction)
  • for quilting use upholstery thread (top) and standard quilting thread (bobbin)
  • for construction use upholstery thread (top and bottom)

June is turning into a busy month of present making!  I will have more to show you before the month is out!

Happy sewing!